CPJ condemns journalist's conviction in Azerbaijan

New
York, March 17, 2014--The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a five-year jail term given today to Tofiq Yaqublu, an Azerbaijani journalist
with the opposition daily Yeni Musavat, and calls on authorities to
overturn the verdict on appeal. Yaqublu, who was convicted of "organizing
mass disorder," was arrested in January 2013
in connection with anti-government protests in the town of Ismayilli. He was
covering the protests at the time of his arrest, his colleagues said. The
journalist is appealing the verdict.

"Azerbaijan must
stop populating its prison cells with reporters like Tofiq Yaqublu," CPJ Europe
and Central Asia Program Coordinator Nina Ognianova said. "Baku should work on
improving its image, especially in light of its role in the Council of Europe.
It can start by releasing Yaqublu and all other journalists imprisoned in
Azerbaijan."

Azerbaijan--which
is holding at least eight journalists in relation to
their work--is scheduled to assume the rotating presidency of the Committee of
Ministersin the Council of Europe in May. All of the council's members have
signed the European
Convention on Human Rights, a treaty that protects human rights, democracy, and
the rule of law.